Laurie Scott

Sarode Music

Laurie Scott is an author and musician who studied the classical music of North India with a geat master sarode player and musical genius, Ali Akbar Khan, for almost 25 years.

Laurie has recorded several albums and has also written a book entitled, "A Spiritual Journey to Now", where she shares stories of her life and the spiritual lessons she has learned.

To learn more about her music teacher and the music she has studied, please read below.

The Music

"In the same way we need air to breathe and water to drink, musicians find music necessary to exist. Music is the food that feeds their souls."

The Master

Ali Akbar Khan's son, Alam Khan -- a great and brilliant musician in his own right -- continues his father's teachings today at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California.

The college also has an extraordinary tabla player and teacher of percussion, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri (called "Swapan Da"), who is the school's most senior and revered teacher.

The Lineage

Mian (or Miyan) Tansen, born a Hindu, had both a Hindu Guru (Hari Das), and later, a Sufi Guru (Muhammad Ghaus). He was also part of King Akbar's court, a Muslim, for over 20 years.

The Instrument

Its Sanskirt name is "Sarode-Dhayak-Veena"

Laurie Scott

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshvaraha,

Guru Sakshat, Parabrahma, Tasmai Shree Guruve Namaha

(Sanskirt Verses Honoring the Guru)

Laurie says, “Ali Akbar Khan's music washed over us like a purifying river, cleansing us, and lifting us into a higher state. His mere presence was also beneficial. He had beautiful and healing energy.”

Samples of Sarode Music

This first piece is an "alap" improvised by Laurie Scott. An alap is played at the beginning of a performance without tabla (drums), to show the scale, beauty, and mood of the raga. The name of this raga is Patdeep and is usually played in the late afternoon or early evening.

This second piece is an original composition by Laurie Scott, also in the raga of Patdeep. This composition is played in the rhythm of teental, a 16 beat rhythm.

Albums

These compositions can be found on Laurie Scott's first album, "Sarode Spirit" (with ragas Patdeep, Loom, and Sindhi Bhairavi), which was released in June of 2014.

Laurie composes all her own music and has since recorded three more albums:

-- River of Ragas (ragas Kafi, Shankara, and Mian Ki Malhar)

-- Gentle Ragas (ragas Bageshree, Durga, and Jog)

-- Indigo Sarode (ragas Dhani, Jhinjhoti, and Chandramukhi).

To hear more samples, or to acquire her music, please click on the 'Album Page' button below. A portion of each album sold will go to a charity that builds homes for the poor in India.

Contact

sarodemusic@gmail.com

India is a culturally rich and diverse nation with its many forms of music, art, dance, and spiritual traditions.

The classical music of North India is a musical tradition that is deeply spiritual, uplifting, and healing. It purifies the atmosphere, calms the mind, and fills the soul with nourishment. It benefits both the performer and the listener, as well as animals, birds, plants, trees, and nature. Those who devote their lives to studying it, often regard it as a type of sadhana, a spiritual path, to bring them closer to the divine.

North India classical music is based on ancient ragas, individual scales of notes, each unique in their character and beauty. The notes of each raga ascend and descend in a particular way, but then the musician is free to improvise to his heart’s content within that framework and a chosen rhythm. The music is usually improvised, but the musician may also choose to play set compositions.

Maestro Ali Akbar Khan (also known as “Khansahib”) was a master of North India classical music and the instrument sarode. He learned music from his father, Allauddin Khan, one of India’s most respected musicians, who was so revered he was commemorated with a postage stamp. Recently a postage stamp was also awarded in memory of Ali Akbar Khan by the President of India.

Ali Akbar Khan was a musical genius who brought light and upliftment through his music. In addition to performing worldwide, he established the Ali Akbar College of Music in 1967 in California, where he made his home, and had branch schools in India and Switzerland.

He was passionate about teaching, and taught instrumental and vocal music for over 40 years. He left his body at the age of 87 and taught up to the very end of his life, even when in his last days he struggled to walk.

During his lifetime, his music was nominated for Grammys, and he received many honors, including a MacArthur "Genius" Grant, and a National Heritage Fellowship award presented to him by First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House.

"In the same way water flows freely down the current of a strong river, may this music continue to spread forever."

The lineage of Ali Akbar Khan, called the "Seniya Beenkar Gharana" for short, extends back generations to Mian (or Miyan) Tansen, a musician saint of India in the 16th century.

Mian Tansen is considered the father of all North India classical music. At a time when Hindu and Islamic music were intermingling, Tansen established the music that exists today. He was part of the court of King Akbar and was named one of the “nine jewels” of King Akbar's court. Tansen created exquisite ragas that continue to be played with great love today. He also displayed remarkable powers by creating rain and lighting lamps at will with his music.

This music has been passed down over the generations from teacher to disciple from that time to the present day.

It is very typical to see great affection, kindness, and respect expressed among the musicians of different religions in India. Music transcends all differences.

The sarode (or sarod) is a beautiful, rich sounding instrument from India with 4 main playing strings and 21 additional strings, which resonate with the main playing strings to create its gorgeous sound. Side strings, known as chikari strings, are stroked to complement the main notes and emphasize the rhythm.

Ali Akbar Khan taught that the sarode originated in India and is related to the instrument the veena. Its long and ancient history is supported by archeological evidence in India at the Champa Temples in Madhya Pradesh (1st century), the Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra (475 AD), and at Rapur in the Punjab (2000 BC).

The sarode evolved over time and major improvements were made to the sarode by Ali Akbar Khan's father (Allauddin Khan) and uncle, which is the sarode we know today.

There is some friendly debate as to the sarode's origins, but Ali Akbar Khan stood firm that it originated in India.

Ali Akbar Khan taught a multitude of students, but only a small group of students studied with him for an extended period of time. Among this group was Laurie Scott, who studied with him for almost 25 years between 1984 to 2009.

The daughter of a concert pianist, Laurie grew up surrounded by music. She played piano, guitar, and sang.

As a teenager, she was drawn to the spiritual teachings of India. She lived in India as a young adult and engaged in spiritual practices for several years. She also attended concerts of some of India’s greatest classical vocalists and musicians.

After returning to America and learning of the Ali Akbar College of Music, it struck a deep chord within her. Without knowing anyone, a job awaiting her, or even having seen the college, she packed her bags and drove to California to enroll. Upon arrival, she was asked how long she would be there and she said, "A very long time." She never regretted her decision and considers her study with Ali Akbar Khan as one of the greatest blessings of her life.

Quiet by nature, she came out late in life as a musician. She enjoys performing in environments where people rarely have the opportunity to hear live music. Her goal is to bring light to others through music.